Jul
6
Written by:
Matt Underwood
7/6/2010 11:26 PM
In the 5th inning Tuesday night, Nelson Cruz lifted a foul ball toward the 2nd deck along the first base line. Its a play I've seen thousands of times during my 11 years calling Indians games. This time the one thing that I've always feared actually happened right before my eyes. I had just started to tell Rick Manning something when I saw a fan reach for the foul pop and then tumble over the railing and fall 30-feet to the lower deck below. For a brief second I wasn't sure it actually happened. The immediate reaction by the fans in the lower bowl made me realize it was not a bad dream but, instead a near tragic event.
I don't remember what I said to relay what happened to the fans watching on TV. I was literally stunned by what I had seen. There is nothing that can prepare you as an announcer for something like that.
The players left the field for 16 minutes while paramedics treated the fan. At this time it appears that the fan will be all right. He was responsive, alert and had movement in all of his extremities when he was transported to the hospital. 4 fans who were either hit or grazed by the fall were all treated for minor injuries at the ballpark.
Calling the rest of the game was difficult as the image of his fall was hard to put out of my mind. I pray that he fully recover from any injuries he may have incurred. I wonder if his family was with him and can't imagine their horror in watching the event unfold.
I'm sure that 20 years from now I won't remember that Texas won the game 12-1. I am also sure that I will never forget what I saw.
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1 comment(s) so far...
Re: Game takes a back seat
Matt,
Im a big fan of you and Rick's, you handled yourselves flawlessly during that ordeal.
All my hopes and prayers go out to all that were involved.
Matt Davis
Lancaster Ohio
By Matt Davis on
7/7/2010 10:22 AM
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